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Comment Period Extended for Water Bottling Discharge Permit

Comments accepted until August 15, 2016

HELENA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is extending the public comment period for a draft Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the proposed Montana Artesian Water Company bottling plant in Creston. The extension is due to a website error.

“We want to give interested citizens a full opportunity to prepare and submit their comments on this permitting decision,” said Jon Kenning, Chief of the DEQ Water Protection Bureau.

The wrong fact sheet for the Montana Artesian Water Company draft MPDES permit was posted on the department website for approximately one week from July 15 to July 20, 2016. The error was corrected as soon as it was discovered; however, DEQ is extending the public comment period until August 15, 2016, giving the public an additional 10 days to comment on the draft permit.

The public hearing has not been rescheduled and will be held on August 1, 2016. During the public hearing, DEQ will record public comments on the draft permit. The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Creston School gymnasium located at 4495 Montana Highway 35, Kalispell.

All persons, including the applicant, who believe any condition of a draft permit is inappropriate or in error, or that the tentative decision to issue the permit is incorrect, must submit these concerns in writing to DEQ before the public comment period ends. DEQ will consider all comments in making a final decision.

DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the public meeting. If you require an accommodation, please contact Lisa Peterson at 406-444-2929 or lpeterson@mt.gov at least three days before the meeting.